Heart surgeon advises intense weekly workouts to improve long-term health

A cardiac specialist with over twenty-five years of experience urges adults to push their bodies into peak exertion at least once every week to improve overall lifespan. Dr Jeremy London shared on social media that most people stop challenging themselves physically after finishing their school or college sports days, settling instead into safe, predictable workout habits. He points out that reaching zone five intensity—meaning roughly ninety percent or more of a person's maximum heart rate until they feel completely out of breath—is vital for building strong cardio-respiratory fitness. According to Dr London, how efficiently your heart and lungs use oxygen serves as a powerful indicator of how long you will live. He referenced research led by Dr Ben Levine showing that inactive middle-aged adults who underwent a two-year training program involving high-intensity intervals experienced positive physical changes. Their heart muscle tissue became more flexible and less rigid, while their maximum oxygen uptake levels improved so that their hearts functioned more like those of younger individuals. To achieve this high-effort state himself, Dr London uses a specialized indoor machine called a SkiErg for five to seven minutes twice a week, though he notes that any activity such as running, cycling, or jumping rope works just as well. He also cautions that anyone with pre-existing medical conditions or symptoms should consult a qualified doctor before attempting strenuous physical routines.